Doctor mom has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and has raised two children. She has learned that people sometimes need the knowledge of the doctor and the comfort of a mom.Today, doctor mom shares some tips for fighting colds and flu symptoms.Although colds and flu are caused by different viruses they have many symptoms in common regardless of whether you got a cold or have the flu. Here are some ways to feel better faster.There are a couple of basic things you can do to speed your recovery from cold and flu. First, drink a lot of water. When you have a cold or a cough, you can get dehydrated without realizing it. Drinking water through out the day will make you feel better. Also, drinking water makes your mucus flow more freely.Second, get lots of rest. Being well rested helps your body fight off the illness and if you are running around all day, it will take longer to recover. So, give your self permission to get the rest you need even if it means sleeping longer than usual. Also, if you have the cold or the flu, make sure to avoid dairy products like milk or cheese which increase mucus production.Chicken soup has been heralded as a cold therapy since the famous 12th century physician most of humanities prescribed it to patients. Sipping hot chicken soup can really help up clear congestion. In fact, many of the traditional ingredients in chicken soup are natural versions of a cough medicines and expectorants commonly sold in the pharmacies.The bottom line is your mom was right. Chicken soup is one of the best therapies for a cold or flu. If your throat is sore and scratchy, try gargling every two hours or so with warm saltwater. Salt reduces your discomfort by killing bacteria and reducing swelling but it does not treat the underlying illness.If you have a fever over 100 degrees or are experiencing achiness, try taking a low dosage of Tylenol which is known generically as acetaminophen. Tylenol is an effective pain reliever and fever reducer. Tylenol is not the same as aspirin but whenever I mention analgesics I like to remind people never to give aspirin to children as it can cause a serious illness Rhys syndrome.In my next segment I will look at the over-the-counter treatments available and help you decide what is best for you. In the mean time, I hope these tips help you and your family feel better. Remember, if your symptoms do not go away after a couple of days make sure to see your doctor. I am doctor mom and thanks for listening.